Let's show Australia some love!

I sent this information out in my Newsletter, but for those of you who haven't seen it, my publisher, The Wild Rose Press, and several editors and authors have produced three volumes of short stories to raise money to help those affected by the terrible wildfires in Australia.

As of this moment, in the state of New South Wales alone, there are 60 separate bushfires burning, of which 20 are out of control. The weather forecast over the next few days is soul destroying as it's expected to be in the low 40's C - about 105 in F with strong winds. In some rural areas, those who have not left their homes have been told it is now too dangerous to move - there is no way out. They must stay and defend their houses.

This is a quote from Rhonda Penders, joint owner of the Wild Rose Press. (slightly amended with updated information.)

"Authors have always been known to help one another but when our own Australian author, Stephen King, asked his fellow authors what could be done to possibly help his beloved Australia during the horrendous wildfires, The Wild Rose Press authors stepped up in a big way.
 
The result of that initial conversation, less than a month ago, is a 3 Volume Anthology.  Over 40 authors donated a short story.  The Wild Rose Press’ editors, artists and production staff donated their time and talents to edit these stories and compile them into an anthology._
 
Volumes 1and 2 have  just released and are available to purchase on our website in print form. Volume 3 will be available shortly.
 
https://www.thewildrosepress.com/product-category/writers-shop-cat/special-release-paperbacks

The ebooks- and volume 1 and 2 print (vol 3 to follow shortly) can be found on Amazon as well as any other distributor where you purchase ebooks. They're available now for pre-order and will be released on 14th February.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Australia-Burns-Show-Some-Love-ebook/dp/B0848W2HQT
 
All proceeds from these 3 anthologies will go to help support the recovery of Australia.  We asked Stephen to decide where the profits would go to do the best work and after much research he continued to come back to The Red Cross.  We can identify where we want the donation to go and we will have it go directly to the efforts of The Red Cross in helping with the recovery effort in Australia."

My contribution is in volume 1, and is an historical western - a departure from my usual SF/Fantasy genre.

I hope you will be able to purchase at least one of these volumes to help with the aid efforts for our friends in Australia. There is a large variety of wonderful stories, something for everyone. Thank you.


For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare - " ...is there something you're not telling me?

Weekend Writing Warriors 

Eight Sentence Sunday

                                 Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.

Hi folks, 

I'm continuing snippets from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished fantasy romance 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. 

 I'm skipping ahead several chapters. Megan and Glyn have become good friends, sharing a common love of animals. The mysterious pony's owner has still not turned up and Glyn's son Huw is the only one who can ride her. Megan has painted a portrait of Huw and the pony and invites them both to the cottage for a meal and to give them the painting.

SNIPPET

After the meal  they chatted about painting and Huw’s schoolwork and the pony, for a while, and Glyn again complimented Megan on the painting. Then he glanced around the room and gave her a very direct look.

  “How are you enjoying living here?” he asked. “You seem to have made this old cottage very cosy and comfortable.”

“Oh yes, I love it,” she told him, “I wouldn’t go back to London if you paid me.”

He grinned, “That’s good.” Then all at once, he looked serious, “you’ve not had any problems, strange noises or anything?”

Megan frowned wondering what he was getting at, that was the second time he’d mentioned strange noises. “No, not really, nothing I wouldn’t expect from a cottage this old anyway  - you asked me that before, is there something about this cottage you’re not telling me?”

 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) Any feedback gratefully received. I probably won't post too many more snippets of this, as I just want to get on and finish it now.

Show Australia Some Love

If you subscribe to my Newsletter you'll already know about this, but for those who don't, my Publisher, The Wild Rose Press, and 48 authors have published three volumes of short stories to raise funds to help those affected by the devastating wildfires. As of this moment, in the state of New South Wales alone, there are 60 separate bushfires burning, of which 20 are out of control. The weather forecast over the next few days is soul destroying as it's expected to be in the low 40's C - about 105 in F with strong winds. In some rural areas, those who have not left their homes have been told it is now too dangerous to move - there is no way out. They must stay and defend their houses.

Volume 1and 2 have  just released and are available to purchase on our website in print form. Volume 3 will be available shortly.
 
https://www.thewildrosepress.com/product-category/writers-shop-cat/special-release-paperbacks

The ebooks can be found on Amazon as well as any other distributor where you purchase ebooks. They're available now for pre-order and will be released on 14th February.


My contribution is in volume 1 and is an historical western - a change from my usual SF/Fantasy romances.
 
https://www.amazon.com/Australia-Burns-Show-Some-Love-ebook/dp/B0848W2HQT

 Please, if you can, purchase at least 1 volume to help our Australian friends. Thank you

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare - Megan needs to watch herself...

Weekend Writing Warriors 

Eight Sentence Sunday

                                 Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.

Hi folks, 

I'm continuing snippets from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished fantasy romance 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. Today's excerpt is again from Megan's P.O.V. 

She has dropped by Glyn Phillips' farm in time to see his son, Huw, riding the strange pony that mysteriously appeared in one of his paddocks, and seemed to be unrideable. Skipping ahead a few pages, Glyn takes her into the kitchen to see how his old dog is doing, and the younger dog jumps up at her, almost knocking her over.

SNIPPET

“I'm so sorry, I try to stop him jumping up at people - he’s only young, as I said, and he gets over excited.”

 “It’s okay,” she said with a grin, giving the collie a hug, “I love dogs. We always had dogs when I was a child and I really miss having one now.”

“You should get one then, there are plenty in the rehoming centre looking for a good home. I wouldn’t be without a dog, myself.”

“Oh, I’d love to,” she said, giving a little sigh, but it wouldn’t really be fair, since I’m at work a lot of the day. I’m thinking about getting a cat from the rescue centre though, although I’m really more of a dog person really. Perhaps one day, if I come into money and can retire…”

Glyn chuckled softly. “Sometimes if we want something enough we can find a way to make it happen.” 

Hmm, the man was a philosopher too, as well as devilishly handsome. She’d have to watch herself. It would be easy to fall for his gentle manners and good looks, and she wasn’t ready to commit to another relationship yet. It was rather satisfying to be completely independent, and to be able to organise her life to suit herself without having to consider someone else’s arrangements. Besides, she’d fancied herself in love once before and had her feelings and her trust betrayed. She wasn’t about to allow it to happen again.

 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) Any feedback gratefully received.








For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare

Weekend Writing Warriors   

Eight Sentence Sunday

                                 Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.

Hi folks, Hope you all had a good week - how are the New Year Resulutions going? (or not)

I'm continuing snippets from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished fantasy romance 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. Today's excerpt is again from Megan's P.O.V. 

Megan has inherited an old cottage and started a new life, and a new job at the veterinary surgery, Her nearest neighbour is Glyn, a single dad and his young son, Huw. A mysterious pony has appeared in Glyn's horse paddocks and even his experienced horse breaker, Evan, can't seem to handle her. Meanwhile, objects have been disappearing and reappearing at the cottage, and Megan isn't sure if she's imagining things. In the last snippet, she is surprised to see Huw riding the supposedly unmanageable pony

 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) Any feedback gratefully received.

SNIPPET

Megan shot a glance at Evan Griffiths, leaning against the fence with a bemused expression on his face. 


“She trusts him, see,” the man said in answer to her unspoken question, “that’s the only way to explain it.” He paused, “p’raps she’s one of those horses which prefer children to adults, some horses do, you know.”

“We only discovered Huw was riding the pony the other day, and I can’t get him to tell me how long he’s been riding her or how he managed to gain her confidence,” Glyn added.

“Well he seems happy,” she replied, “and so does the pony for that matter.”

The boy must have noticed her arrival, and cantered up to the fence, patting the pony’s neck, he drew her to a halt and jumped down from the saddle.

“Hello Miss Johnson, did you see me jumping -- how d’you like my new pony?”

“Your pony now, is she?” his father said, and Megan could not help noticing the twinkle in his eye.

“You seem to be doing really well with her,” she said, stepping back from the fence a little, as the pony snorted and tossed her head. She hoped Glyn Phillips hadn’t noticed

For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

Retaliation - Spotlight and #Giveaway

Retaliation 

The Oceanstone Initiative #2 

by Haley Cavanagh 

Genre: S.F. Romance 

Publisher: Covey Publishing, LLC 

Publication Date: December 27, 2019

One doctor, one alien lover, one botanist, and one engineer on a desperate mission to save earth from human destruction. 

Sakota saved Astraeus and her friends from certain death, but in doing so, she gained the attention of the Oreck, who will stop at nothing to destroy everything in their path. 

With their ship severely damaged, Sakota and her crew land on a nearby planet and seek sanctuary while they make repairs to return home. But nothing on this perfect planet is as it appears, and Sakota soon learns they've traded one danger for another. 

Hunted and targeted, will Sakota be able to carry out her mission, or will everyone she cares about be destroyed? 

Add to Google

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Astraeus 

The Oceanstone Initiative #1 

Publisher: Covey Publishing, LLC 

Publication Date: October 12, 2018

One pre-apocalyptic Earth. One desperate space mission to find a solution. One unexpected alien. 

When Dr. Sakota Thorell signed onto the mission to scout out a new, habitable planet, she knew discovering extraterrestrial life was always a possibility. But she never expected to find an alien adrift in space, nor for that alien to be so intriguing. Sakota feels an instant and undeniable attraction to Astraeus, but he represents a million possibilities, and just as many threats. 

There are others hunting Astraeus, and his rescue may cost Earth its last hope. 

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Book Trailer 

https://youtu.be/eWwKlQ4siTQ

Haley Cavanagh is a military veteran, wife, and mother. She is an alumna of Columbia College, a musical theater nut, and she loves to dive into any book that crosses her path. Haley resides with her family in the United States and enjoys spending time with her husband and children when she’s not writing. She loves to hear from her readers, and encourages you to contact her via her website and social media. 

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$25 Amazon and autographed paperback bundle of The Oceanstone Initiative series and swag 

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!

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For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join

#WeekendWritingWarriors #SnippetSunday - The Matchmaker's mare - and some memories of Christmas just gone!

Weekend Writing Warriors   

Eight Sentence Sunday

                                 Snippet Sunday Facebook  Group

Don't forget to visit the other authors at the link above, there's something for all tastes.

Hi folks, 

I hope everyone who celebrates it had a lovely Christmas and that the New Year will bring you much happiness, health and contentment. I've been away from here longer than I intended, so many apologies.

After a trip to my beloved homeland to visit family and friends, just before Christmas, we spent a day at a local 'stately home', Waddesdon Manor.  Every year they decorate the grounds with lights in the trees, and illuminated models. There is a Christmas Market, with lots of beautiful craftie things, and food, and the inside of the house has several rooms all decorated for Christmas to a special theme. The theme this year was Christmas music. Forgive me for going back in time, it's been less than two weeks but I know Christmas now seems like an age away already, and I wanted to share some pictures with you.

This is the entrance to what used to be the stable yard,but it is now shops and cafes, with outdoor seating. There were two enormous illuminated baubles in the yard, which were quite spectacular - one could wander in and out of them.

 There were many decorated rooms, each with a gigantic Christmas tree, to celebrate Christmas songs, from While Shepherds watched their flocks by night' to The Nutcracker. I immediately thought of ED - and his great Christmas SF romance, ALIEN CONTACT FOR A CHRISTMAS NUTCRACKER!

Anyway, back to today!

I'm continuing snippets from the draft of my current 'work in progress' unpublished fantasy romance 'The Matchmaker's Mare' which takes place in Wales. The  story is told from three p.o.vs. and two time-lines. Today's excerpt is again from Megan's P.O.V. 

Megan has inherited an old cottage and started a new life, and a new job at the veterinary surgery, Her nearest neighbour is Glyn, a single dad and his young son, Huw. A mysterious pony has appeared in Glyn's horse paddocks and even his experienced horse breaker, Evan, can't seem to handle her. Meanwhile, objects have been disappearing and reappearing at the cottage, and Megan isn't sure if she's imagining things.The next snippet finds her about to deliver some medication from the vets for Glyn's dog.


SNIPPET

The late afternoon sun shone golden through the lush canopy of trees lining the drive up to the house. as Megan  drew up at the gate to Hafod farm. She opened the gate and parked in front of the house and breathed in the warm, earthy-scented air. There was something about a balmy spring afternoon like this, which made one glad to be alive. A host of birds chirped as they made their way to their roosts for the night, and somewhere an owl hooted.

There didn’t seem to be anyone around, so, clutching the package of medication for Bob, she walked down to the paddocks.She stopped in her tracks and blinked. Glyn Phillips and the stable hand, Evan Griffiths stood as if mesmerised. The chestnut pony, which was supposed to be un-rideable, trotted sedately around the schooling area, with Glyn’s son, Huw, on her back.

She shaded her eyes against the glare of the sun to make sure she wasn’t mistaken. As she approached, Glyn turned and beckoned to her to come and stand beside him and she obliged, trying to hide her amazement as the boy cantered the pony up and down, made a few circles and figures of eight, and then took her over a series of small jumps situated along one side of the school. It hardly seemed like the same pony she’d watched unseat Evan a few weeks earlier.

 (This is only a rough draft to give the gist of the novel, and is subject to change and edits - and improvement on the creative punctuation which is needed  to adhere to the ten sentence rule!) Any feedback gratefully received.








For insider news and subscriber-only info, subscribe to my occasional Newsletter. I promise not to spam and your in-box will only see an email from me every 3 or 4 months or so - unless of course I have something really Newsworthy to share! I also promise that I never have and never will share your information or email address with anyone or any organisation.  http://madmimi.com/signups/196357/join